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PhD studentship - Strategies for the analysis of pragmatic randomized controlled trials. Available from October 2008 The Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, at Keele University, has a large and dynamic research programme in pain and osteoarthritis, underpinned by a wealth of cohort and trial data-sets, with linkage to medical records. The Centre includes a multidisciplinary grouping of clinicians working alongside epidemiologists, statisticians and social scientists, and our funding framework gives us a strong remit to increase research capacity by providing training opportunities and career support for early-experience researchers. The successful candidate would join a diverse and enthusiastic group of postgraduate research students. The Centre runs a programme of both internal and external seminars, as well as journal clubs and in-house training. In addition to the University-wide research training programme, training will be provided in relevant techniques as required. A three-year PhD studentship is available to pursue research in the above topic based in the Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, at Keele University. The successful candidate would join a diverse and enthusiastic group of postgraduate research students. Supervision for the PhD would be provided by Dr Martyn Lewis and Professor Julius Sim. The project will examine, through sensitivity analyses on both simulated and real data, different methods of analysing pragmatic randomised controlled trials in which there is covariate imbalance. The focus of the study will be on the effects of an adjusted analysis on important aspects of a statistical hypothesis: power, actual versus nominal Type 1 error rate, and bias. The outcomes of this programme of work are intended to include: a literature review; papers reporting the substantive findings of the study; one or more papers on statistical aspects of the analyses performed; recommendations for appropriate analysis of RCTs in primary care. Funding is available for three years to cover fees for PhD registration (2008/09 rates - home/EU rates: £3,350) and a research studentship stipend of currently £12,900 per annum for 2008. Non-EU students would be required to pay the balance (currently approximately £8,550 per annum) of the overseas fees themselves. Applicants should have a good (2:1 or above) first degree with experience of quantitative research methods (e.g. statistics, epidemiology, mathematics, psychology) and experience of health care research. A Masters degree in a relevant discipline is highly desirable. Further Information Interested candidates are invited to discuss the project and/or pay an informal visit to the Centre. Please contact either Dr Lewis on 01782 583924 or [log in to unmask] or Professor Sim on 01782 584253 or [log in to unmask] See also: http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/fundingkeele.htm Application Process In order to be considered for a studentship, an application form for PhD study must be completed (“Application Form Postgraduate Research Degrees”) plus an additional “Application form for a studentship or bursary” indicating that you wish to apply for this studentship and detailing your suitability for the award - http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/prospectus/ CLOSING DATE - Wednesday 11 June 2008